I just can't help myself...it seems to be this kind of week. I don't shop at Walmart. Period. And it is difficult. I live in a small town, and so many of the mama/papa businesses have gone out of business since we have had our super walmart. Shall I name a few? Our local hardware (they could fix anything, or at least tell me how to fix it!!!)....our family run film store, our bakery where I have purchased every wedding cake, party cake,rehearsal dinner cake (no one in this world baked like they did)...but they have been run out of town (Walmart has cakes, you know, big, cheap cakes)..a shoe store, the local butcher (you actually asked for your meat over the counter and he/she packaged it up in white paper!)
OK, I can't tell you not to shop a Walmart...truth be told, it is a hard decision..sometimes I wish I had never started this. I mean in my town there is no where else to buy a plunger along with spinach. But I chose it, and I will stick to it. So, my reasons..go on-line..you will find a vast array of information (I have recently filled a notebook, am I on a roll or what???)
So you just can't give it up? Here are a few ideas then, a compromise, if you will: Tell Walmart employees you support their rights to form a union (yes, you can do this while they bag your oranges)...check the labels to see where the items have been manufactured and then ask to see the manager...ask him/her if the item was manufactured in a sweat shop (if they aren't too busy filling the popcorn machine, you might get an answer)..shop other stores, especially the mama/papa businesses.
OK. Enough already. I'm going to bed.
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2 comments:
now, don't be so bitter. Many families are so laden with expenses that most people have in raising a family and little money to do it, they can not afford to pay the high prices for groceries, there would be little on the table. Mom and Pop was great, but we have to move on. If the people at walmart, target or any other store hire these people and are quoted a wage, then after a coffee break them find that Mary is making 5 cents more an hour. That right there is where the problem starts. If they don't want to work for the amount move on to another place. Don't go for a union, that has been the problem with our country. I imagine your sons could have a problem with stretching money enough that Walmart is a welcome place to shop. Times are changing and we as adults have a hard time accepting the change, but it is here no matter what you think. Many of us just have one job, you are lucky to spread yours out.
One problem with faceless corporations is that a corporation is not a human being. A corporation has no feelings, no empathy. It is a business arrangement and its goal is profit.
People's goals are much different. People want love, respect, concern, sympathy, joy, happiness. Life is about relationships. When we nurture relationships we strengthen families and build communities.
Families and communities are about music, stories, laughter, hugs, shared meals, listening, and such.
It's a pity that so many lives are consumed by consumerism. Boycotting Walmart is simply one way of saying that enough is enough. There's more to life than working and shopping.
We can rejoice if Lou Ann's comments have helped even one or two folks be more intentional about the way they live their lives. Maybe they'll still shop at Walmart now and then, but maybe they'll seek out an independent merchant first. And maybe they'll think about what's in their shopping basket and put back those things that fuel wasteful spending. And then maybe there will be more money for things that matter, or better yet, less craving for more things period, and more desire to enjoy time for play, rather than drudgery.
Thank you Lou Ann for encouraging us to think!
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